Can't help you with bike rentals but how would North of the Border know exactly where you're taking the bike to ride? Penasquitos is NOT very challenging but IMO, it's still alot more fun than Mission Trails. MT is probably my least favorite place to ride in SD. I'd go out to Nobel Cyn if I only had (1) day to ride in SD.

PQ is not that challenging. there are some options that can actually make it very fun but some of those options are of questionable access status so i won't publish them here. However, there still are a lot of options that are more than just the north and south side trails that can give you decent climbing and some ST descents.

MT is not very biker friendly. the trails from one side of the park to the other are all old Jeep trails and are super steep and not very fun. there's not really enough mileage to put together a good fun ride unless you cross the Fortuna saddle which pretty much just sucks. it's a decent place to get your workout in if you're local but it's far from anything I'd recommend to anybody visiting. there used to be plenty of fun ST but most of those trails entered a military base and the military recently started patrolling with more effort effectively closing the trails from us.

if I had one place to ride in san diego, I'd hit Daley ranch. but ti's about a 25 minute drive from North of the Border.

Noble Canyon would be the must visit ride but it's a good hour plus drive and to do it properly it's an all day event made more difficult if you are on a solo ride and don't really know where to go.

Agree with what Yeti Rider said. The West side of MT has a few fun trails but you only get about 6-7 miles before doing repeats. Not really a destination for a one-day visit. Noble/Laguna will eat up most of your day and it's supposed to be cold & wet up there this weekend.

Black Mountain is fairly close to PQ and is more fun/challenging. Check out this thread for some ideas. The Racers & Chasers link has interesting routes. Hope you enjoy your stay!

It's not San Diego but I know The Path in Orange County has a pretty good rental fleet of full-suspension bikes and there is always the San Juan Trail - lots of fun, easy to get to and hard to get lost! About an hour north of 'north of the border'.

If you find a decent full-sus mtn bike rental in San Diego please let us know where you did as that would be helpful info indeed.

Mission trails has plenty of good stuff. Avoid the fortuna peak area. Park at equestrian center off of Mast blvd and head west to the service road, and then north up the valley. Find the single track. Explore that valley and one valley west. Respect the signs about access to certain areas.

Los Penasquitos has some decent stuff too but tends to be flatter (unless you climb up into the Del Mar Mesa area). Still fun Single Track and a bit of fire road but, less technically challenging and less aerobically challenging. However, as a jumping off point to access Del Mar Mesa, and from there the San Dieguito River Park area, it's a nice spot.

Daley Ranch is nice too. More variety than either of the afformentioned and more potential for climbing. Feels more remote and will be a little less crowded once you get into the park. West side of the park has the most terrain and the better single track.

Black Mountain has some strenuous climbing that I think sort of interferes with the flow and fun.

If you're based in San Diego and pressed for time, I'd hit up Mission Trails first. Possible to get 14 miles with no overlap if you know the area or are willing to explore. A little easy to get lost in the canyons so bring a GPS. Lots of nice riders willing to point you in the right direction or help out if you have a technical problem.

PQ canyon will probably be closed this weekend anyway. We've got rain today, tomorrow and Saturday. It does not take very much for them to close it. Lake Hodges from the 15 to the dam can be fun. It's not challenging but it should be open.

PQ canyon will probably be closed this weekend anyway. We've got rain today, tomorrow and Saturday. It does not take very much for them to close it.

It will be closed according to the ranger:

Well, we had one day of all the trails being open…It has started to rain here and with the trails already being as wet as they are we made the decision to close all the trails. The National Weather Service is calling for rain through Sunday, so the trails will be closed through the weekend for sure and possibly into next week. I will let you know of any changes.

^^ Awesome! Be aware that you're supposed to have an Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead, but it costs the same as the ticket--$5.

I can "guide" you up if you're interested (although it's pretty basic), just shoot me a PM. The most basic route involves climbing about 7 miles up to Cocktail Rock, then most people do the upper loop clockwise for a bonus 5 miles. But the meadow area on top will probably be muddy. I would recommend that once you get to Cocktail Rock that you take a right behind the boulders and follow the trail (much more chunky with short ups and downs) for a few miles, then just turn around when you stop having fun. Dress warm, especially for the descent!

Doug

Last edited by dirtvert; 01-25-2013 at 06:04 PM.

Why?

Because we like the taste of freedom; because we like the smell of danger. ~ E. Abbey

Hi there. I'll hopefully be doing this same thing over Easter weekend - visiting the San Diego area, with a day that I'd like to set aside for a bike rental/ride. San Juan looks great, though I'm sure it will tax my abilities. I like a challenge, but I've also spent my entire mountain biking life in a place with no mountains (Michigan). Am I biting off more than I can chew (esp in winter shape) with San Juan? I'm not a good climber or jumper, but I love fast, flowing trails with descents. Doug and Russ, any thoughts? Any help or opinions would be great. Thanks!

There are some really good videos of the trail. I know I'd eat up the downhill part as far as enjoyment (I live for the few fast descents we have around here), and there were many videos of that. I did find one person who uploaded the climb through the switchbacks. It looks like nothing I can't handle, just a lot of granny gearing. I think my bigger problem will be that I have a history of not getting out of clipless pedals fast enough to dab, so hopefully I can get something with cages on a rental bike. I learned this lesson the hard way in Sedona, so I don't want to repeat that. I can get out of clips quickly, and they provide the pedaling/attachment benefits of clipless. Plus I have pads now...

I have a friend in Santa Ana that I hope will join me. Otherwise, I may try and find someone local, just for safety's sake. Thanks for the feedback!

I would just add that you have a month to get ready, right?! If you can get some long rides in before then, I would encourage you to try the climb. All the people that I've guided up have really enjoyed the accomplishment. Most of it is just a steady climb, and you have the advantage of knowing the trail when you turn around. Good luck!

Why?

Because we like the taste of freedom; because we like the smell of danger. ~ E. Abbey